Marlins’ Mike Redmond not making big deal of big league managerial debut; Giancarlo Stanton on fast track to get ready for WBC

Marlins manager Mike Redmond said it was no big deal making out his first big league lineup card today.

“I’m not nervous at all,” he said. “I’m excited. I’ve been through enough games in my life. I’m excited about watching these guys play, watching them compete. Getting to watch the energy level the last few days has been tremendous. The guys have been working hard. We’re practicing great. It’s going to be fun to see how that translates onto the field and into a game situation.”

Redmond, who managed two years in Blue Jays farm system, characterized his managing style as “calm” with a little fun.

“I watch and take it all in,” he said. “I try to see as much as I can. I’m not as crazy as I was when I played but I like to have fun and joke around.”

STANTON PLANS

Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton will be seeing more game action than in a typical early in the spring to get ready to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

“We’re going to have to speed up the process a little bit because he’s got to be ready to play three or four days in a row and in full games,” Redmond said. “It’s not like it’s three innings and out. We have to ramp it up quicker for him. He’s going to have to play more.”

Stanton will leave camp March 3 for the Classic. The plan is to give him off Sunday, play him in the field Monday in Orlando against the Braves and DH him on Tuesday.

“We’ll try to get him as close to nine inning games as we can before he leaves,” Redmond said. “They’re not going to yank him out after two at bats, I’m assuming. He’s going to have to feel comfortable enough with his swing and his body.”